I did a lot of hiking when only low powered headlamps were available, like carbide lamps. which I still like.

When you are restricted to low outputs, you learn to adapt, especially your eyes. It is amazing how much you can see once your eyes are fully adapted to ambient light levels. If walking on trails, you also learn to attend to the sensory imputs from your feet. It is pretty easy to know, after a bit of experience, when you have veered away from the tread or walked off the end of a switchback. If there is any kind of a moon out, or even just a very clear starry night, you may not need a light at all. If you do need one, a dim light, briefly employed, will be sufficient.

Now, if you are mountain biking or skiing at speed, it is a different story. You definitely need lots of light. If you are merely walking at night, there is something to be said for fewer lumens.